State contracts signed; local lawmakers continue push for Health Alliance

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Even though state insurance contracts have been signed, two area legislators want to see if there's a chance to add a local insurer.

Mike Claffey, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, said Wednesday afternoon that contracts have been signed with the four companies that won bids to provide Medicare Advantage plans for state retirees.

Earlier Wednesday, state Sen. Chapin Rose said time is running out to try and get Urbana-based Health Alliance added as a provider.

The comments from Rose, R-Mahomet, came after he filed a resolution in the Senate seeking a rebidding process to allow for a regional HMO provider under the Medicare Advantage program. A similar resolution was filed in the House by Rep. Chad Hays, R-Catlin.

Rose said the plan could give Health Alliance a chance to re-bid and possibly be added as a provider in the Medicare Advantage program. He said Governor Pat Quinn has the authority to seek a new round of bids for the program, but he has to act soon.

The resolution states that Health Alliance's unopened bid was actually the lowest, and Illinois taxpayers could have saved an estimated $60 million to $280 million dollars over the life of the 10 year contract had Health Alliance's bid been selected.

The state awarded contracts to United Healthcare, Humana Health Plan, Humana Benefit Plan of Illinois and Aetna Life Insurance Company. The enrollment period for the Medicare Advantage Plan is Nov. 12 through Dec. 13. Coverage takes effect on Feb. 1.

This just in: Chapin Rose wants MLB to reconsider Game 6 of the World Series because he claims, "The rule to have 9 innings clearly favors the Boston Red Sox. It is very, "puzzling", to me and my constituents why a World Series game would be limited to 9 innings. Especially when after 9 innings the Cardinals are still losing."

Rose said he intends on meeting with representatives of MLB to see if they will consider, "replaying" the entire World Series because clearly, the St. Louis Cardinals were the better team. He hopes a light will go off in the heads of MLB representatives and they will finally realize that the rules need to be changed in order for the Cardinals to win.